Home Free - Fern Michaels [97]
Yoko laughed. “Harry will simply put him to sleep, and they’ll carry him in. Harry has no patience.”
Myra’s and Nikki’s phones rang at the same time. Isabelle quickly turned off the TV. Her hand was on the light switch to darken the apartment when Nikki held up her hand, a signal to wait. Both women listened to the voices on the other end of their phones. Nikki spoke first. “Yoko was right. Parker is asleep in the back of Ted’s car. They should be here in fifteen minutes. They cleaned out his office. They’re bringing all his files, his client list, his personal laptop, and all the computers his people use.
“Parker Investments is no longer in business. They even put a sign on the door to that effect. It’s a good thing that Avery’s people cleared the street and put up those NO PARKING signs so we would all have parking spaces. That yellow tape is like magic. People actually respect it.”
“Mr. OO’s ETA is in twenty-five minutes, according to Avery. He’s driving in front of him, and two of his people are behind him in case he makes a stop along the way. We’ll be cutting it close if Jack and the boys are running late. Avery did say the roads are starting to ice up, so driving is hazardous,” Myra said.
“So we sit and wait. Ten more minutes of light, then we cut it off,” Nikki said.
“Are we going to shout ‘Surprise!’” Kathryn asked. “Do any of you think he’s going to put up a fight?”
“If you want to, dear. Cornered rats usually either spring at their tormentor or scurry off into the dark. By the way, have you all noticed that the man doesn’t even have an artificial Christmas tree? There are no signs anywhere that a holiday is approaching,” Annie said.
“And this means . . . what?” Yoko asked.
Annie shrugged. “Men aren’t like women when it comes to holidays and sentiment. I read that somewhere. You can’t just ignore Christmas,” Annie said fretfully.
“Don’t worry, dear. We’ll make sure Mr. OO knows it is the holiday season,” Myra said grimly.
The room went silent. Kathryn and Isabelle moved to the front window so they could report what was happening. Avery Snowden and Jack were reporting in every five minutes with progress updates.
“Douse the lights. A car is coming down the street very slowly. I think it’s Jack. Yes, it’s Jack, and Ted is right behind him. I wish we’d had the foresight to knock out that streetlight two doors up. No one is on the street, though, that I can see,” Kathryn said.
“Okay, they’re parking now. Doors are opening. Mr. OO is going to have to park behind him. I hope that doesn’t make him suspicious that his parking space has been taken by a strange car,” Isabelle said. “Ted has Parker on his shoulder. Okay, they’re coming up the steps now. Door is opening downstairs. Someone needs to show them the way with the flashlight.”
Nikki ran out to the hall with her Maglite.
Myra clicked on her phone, listened, and powered down. “Avery said ten more minutes, nine if they make the next traffic light.”
A commotion ensued as the boys, in a change of plans, dumped Jason Parker on Mr. OO’s bed, then duct-taped him to the bedpost. Jack’s arms were full of files and laptops, as were everyone else’s. He dumped everything unceremoniously on the floor.
Nikki handed Jack a flashlight. “You guys stay in here until we call you, okay? How long is he going to be out for?”
“How long do you want him out?” Harry asked.
“At least twenty minutes,” Nikki responded.
“Your wish is my command,” Harry said, walking over to the sleeping man. He bent down, touched his neck, and smiled at the little group. “Done.”
“Jack, the minute Orzell reaches the top of the steps and opens the door to the apartment, you and Bert hit the hallway in case he backs out and tries to run,” Nikki said.
“Gotcha.”
Kathryn shouted from down the hall. “He’s here. At least I think it’s him. He must have made the traffic light. Yep, it’s him. Avery is right in front of him and parking farther down the street. Okay, he’s out of the car and walking toward the steps. Everyone in position now.